Bridgman growth of germanium crystals in a rotating magnetic field

A series of (1 0 0)-oriented gallium-doped germanium crystals has been grown by the vertical Bridgman method and under the influence of a rotating magnetic field (RMF). Time-dependent flow instabilities occur when the critical magnetic Taylor number (Tmc) is exceeded, and this can be observed by noting the appearance of striations in the grown crystals. Tmc decreases as the aspect ratio of the melt increases, and approaches the theoretical limit expected for an infinite cylinder. Intentional interface demarcations are introduced by pulsing the RMF on and off. The RMF has a marked effect on the interface shape, changing it from concave to nearly flat as the RMF strength is increased.